Milda, please tell more about your impressive career at one of the largest international banks. What exactly do you do?
Presently, I am on a maternity leave, but my responsibilities at Barclays Technology Centre Lithuania (BTCL) are twofold. First, I lead the team of twenty Project Managers in Lithuania, ensuring the team is motivated, has stretched assignments and has the right support to deliver IT infrastructure change projects. For almost three years at BTCL I ran IT projects and programs myself and can relate well to day-to-day joys and challenges of my team members. Secondly, I am managing a portfolio of global projects across Data Centre and Middleware technologies. I am responsible for project funding, escalation resolution, and delivered project benefits.
You hold a Master of Science degree from the University of Manchester. Why did you choose to major in Management of Projects?
In the last year when still studying at LCC, I had a dream to study abroad for a Master's degree in International Management and applied to a number of universities in the UK and USA. At that time my brother was a first year student at the University of Manchester and encouraged me to look for Management studies at his university. I remember the University of Manchester did not have an International Management Master's program at that time, and I looked for other alternatives in Business studies and decided to apply for the Masters of Science degree in Management of Projects. It was the best decision to choose this program.
Your first introduction to the business world happened at LCC, where you studied Business Administration. Can you recall your motives for choosing LCC and this particular program?
Both of my parents are entrepreneurs. I was fascinated by their ability to create their own companies, live its successes and resolve problems. I wanted to have a company of my own one day, and I still do. After school I got accepted to both LCC and Vilnius University for Business Administration programs. I had a week to confirm my decision for Bachelors studies. Through personal and my friends' connections I talked with a few first year students from both universities and quickly decided to study at LCC. LCC motivated with English based studies and professors mainly from the USA and Canada. Also, the small size of the university and opportunities to study management abroad in the future were appealing.
Please share your memories of study years at LCC – what and whom do you remember, what do you feel nostalgic about?
Studying at LCC was great! I remember in the first year producing posters with my friend from school Julius saying Vote for Milda, and I was elected to Student Council to represent the first year students. It was fantastic! I met so many great people at LCC who enriched my life in an unforgettable way. I vividly remember most of the professors, especially Dr. Eric L. Hinderliter and Phyllis Rhodes. I still keep in touch with both of them occasionally, and of course, students from Lithuania as well as Albania, USA, Thailand, to name a few. LCC has the magic of attracting and uniting so many great people.
Both at LCC and Manchester University you received degrees with distinction. Do you pursue excellence in all you do?
I love this motto and live by it: Whatever you do, do it well, or don't do it at all.
Talking about future plans, do you see yourself continuing your career in Lithuania or do international opportunities seem tempting?
At the moment I am very happy to live and work in Lithuania. Working at BTCL I am interacting with colleagues from the UK, USA, India, South Africa and Singapore on a daily basis. I love the international aspect of my job and also regular travelling. I still have so many opportunities to explore within Barclays and am not considering leaving at the moment. I am very happy for what I have today, and I will see what tomorrow brings.
What is most exciting and most challenging in your present job?
The most exciting aspect of my job is constant dynamics, the unknown. In my daily job I resolve problems, and every day, every hour or sometimes every five minutes there is something new for me look into, advise, and find a way to resolve an issue. I love constant change and fire fighting.
The most challenging aspect is a regular change of direction and changing priorities. I might be working on a particular issue, the phone rings and I run left. I meet somebody on the way, and I learn I need to go right. It is challenging and always a lot of fun!
Finally, work is probably not the only exciting thing in your life. Can you share what else brings fullness and joy to your life?
I love travelling, visiting new countries and discovering various cultures, cuisines, and ways of living. I greatly enjoy walking and mountain hiking, scuba-diving, tennis, playing games and dancing to rock'n'roll. I have fullness, when I can share this all with somebody very close – my family.
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